Thursday, September 14th, 2023

Dear Friend,

September is here and the Board of Supervisors started back this week after our summer break. I was proud to present a proclamation to make September Childhood Cancer Awareness month, along with Chairman McKay and Supervisor Palchik. I also sponsored a proclamation with Chairman McKay, recognizing National Preparedness Month. As we look back on the 22 years since 9/11, Fairfax County continues its focus on ensuring our residents are equipped for any type of emergency. National Preparedness Month provides an annual opportunity for our residents to learn about the various hazards they may face and best practices on how to prepare for an emergency and how to respond in the event a disaster occurs.

At yesterday's meeting, I also sponsored two board matters. My office has received many complaints regarding illegal fireworks. After consulting with the Fairfax County Fire Department and Fairfax County Police Department, I decided to sponsor this matter that directs the county executive to develop a presentation that includes draft language for an ordinance change that allows Fairfax County police officers to enforce the sections of the County Code related to fireworks for the Board to consider at a future Safety and Security meeting before the end of the first quarter of next year and asked that the County Executive assign the appropriate staff to coordinate and prepare a renewed interagency public safety campaign on the rules and safety of fireworks.

The second board matter I co-sponsored was for the Economic Opportunity Reserve (EOR) Nomination for Investor-Entrepreneur Forum Program. This board matter directs the County Executive or his designee(s) to work with GMU to develop a program scope for a regional Entrepreneur-Investor Forum Program, with a projected cost not to exceed a total of $450,000 for a three-year pilot program that seeks financial support from neighboring jurisdictions in the region and establishes a pathway to sustainability following the three-year pilot. George Mason University (GMU) is very interested in developing and managing the proposed forums. The GMU Innovation and Economic Development team is already engaged in this topic and received GoVirginia funding for Accelerate, an annual investor conference which brings local and national investors to the region each fall to catalyze investment in our region.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact my office.

Email: Franconia@fairfaxcounty.gov

Phone 703-971-6262

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Table of Contents

National Preparedness Month
495 Southside Express Lanes Public Information Meeting - 9/20 7 pm
MCCP Dental Van Visit - 9/23
Healthy Together Fairfax - 9/24

Out and About in Franconia (and beyond)

Patriot Day - 9/11 Remembrance
Community Conversation - Audubon Estates Mobile Home Park
Stony Brook Apartments

I-495 SOUTHSIDE EXPRESS LANES STUDY

Learn about and provide input on the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT)

I-495 Southside Express Lanes Study (495 Southside Study), an environmental study evaluating the potential extension of the Express Lanes system on the southern section of the Capital Beltway (I-495) by 11 miles from the Springfield interchange (I-95/I-395/I-495) in Fairfax County, Virginia, across the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, to the MD 210 interchange in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Since introducing the 495 Southside Study at public information meetings in May 2022, VDOT has developed proposed preliminary alternative concepts to address identified transportation needs within the study area, which are to:

· Extend and provide continuity of the Express Lanes system on I-495

· Provide additional travel choices

· Reduce congestion

· Improve travel reliability

· Improve safety

· Provide consistency with local and regional plans

VDOT will share preliminary alternative concepts for review and input at upcoming public meetings to inform the range of alternatives that will be carried forward in the study.

In-Person Public Information Meetings

Wednesday, September 20

6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (presentation starts at 7 p.m.)

John R. Lewis

High School (Cafeteria)

6540 Franconia Rd.

Springfield, VA 22150

Click here to provide input.

STAY INVOLVED

Visit the study website for updates: https://virginiadot.org/495southside.

The MCCP Dental Van will be offering free screenings for children 3-19 at the Springfield Masonic Lodge, 7001 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA, on September 23rd. First come first serve - no registration needed.

Healthy Together Fairfax (HTF) will now be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Franconia Park (6601 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22310).

HTF is a fun (and FREE) interactive event for the community focused on healthy and active living. The event includes free health screenings, access to community services and resources, fitness classes, hands-on activities, and ‘bite-sized’ learning for all ages. Participants can also explore the trails and playgrounds at Franconia Park and enjoy a ride on the carousel.

HTF is produced by The Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax, in collaboration with Evans Consulting, First Aid, CPR, & Training Services (FACTS), and PoP Health, and hosted in collaboration with the Fairfax County Park Authority. For more information, please visit www.healthytogetherfairfax.com. If you have any questions, please reach out to healthytogetherfairfax@gmail.com.

Out and About

Patriot Day - 9/11 Remembrance

I attended Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Fire Station 40's 9/11 remembrance ceremony honoring the sacrifices our public safety and military service members have made and continue to make to ensure both our safety and freedom. On Patriot Day, it is especially important that we remember and recognize these sacrifices.

I want to thank the Mount Vernon Police Station for attending a "Community Conversation" with Audubon Estates Mobile Home Park residents on how to make their community safer.

Stony Brook Apartments Community Day

This past weekend, I spoke and attended the Stony Brook Apartments Community Day. They had food trucks, cotton candy, face painting, a bouncy house, raffle prizes and a DJ. Stony Brook partnered with United Community, Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, and Northern Virginia Family Service.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT (ICYMI)

Things to do this September in Fairfax County

The most colorful season of the year kicks off this September in Northern Virginia! With changing leaves and autumn breeze comes beer-forward Oktoberfests, scenic adventures, spooky activities, fabulous festivals, exciting performances, and more.

Here’s your go-to guide for enjoying September in Fairfax County.

High School Students - Call for Volunteer Election Pages

Are you a high school student who wants to get engaged in elections? We need students ages 16 or older to serve as pages at polling places on Tuesday, Nov. 7. You'll make a real difference for our democracy. Apply by Sept. 29:

Elections Officers Needed for the General Election November 7th

Fairfax County Office needs election officers for the November 7^th General Election and the 2024 elections. Compensation begins at $250 and training is provided online and in-person for new officers. More information on serving as a Fairfax County election officer can be found here. Apply today.

There is also a need for bilingual Virginia voters who speak Vietnamese and English or Korean and English to serve in the Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, and Falls Church areas. To serve as a designated bilingual election officer, you must also complete a short oral language skills assessment. More information on serving as a language election officer can be found here.

2023 Hurricane Season Outlook: What You Need to Know

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Kingstowne Farmers Market

The Franconia District farmers market takes place at Kingstowne Farmers Market. Open until October 27th from 3 to 7 pm on Fridays.

The address for the Farmers Market is:

5844-5862 Kingstowne Center

Alexandria, VA, 22315

FREE Immunization Clinics for Children

Fairfax County Health Department is offering FREE immunization clinics for children. This program began August 1.

For more information and appointments visit here.

Senior Cool Care Program

Are you in need of additional cooling during the summer?

The Senior Cool Care Program is a public-private partnership sponsored by Dominion Energy and administered by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging that helps low-income older citizens in our jurisdiction keep cool during summer months.

The program runs May 1 through October 31, 2023. This program does not provide financial assistance, but it provides additional cooling at home, such as fans, for eligible older adults, age 60 and older.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact the Aging, Disability & Caregiver Resource Line: 703-324-7948.